Mmm.. hear, hear.
Actually, all these issues that the users have been discussing in this thread is going to happen to me this weekend. A close relative is getting engaged, and I am just going to bring my DSLR + flash just to test out the shots. Every event is an opportunity to practise, I feel, especially such a joyous occasion.
Close relative. So no problem.
I'll just stay out of the way of the pro photogs. Won't ga-jiao anybody too.

Senior Member

Mmm.. hear, hear.
Actually, all these issues that the users have been discussing in this thread is going to happen to me this weekend. A close relative is getting engaged, and I am just going to bring my DSLR + flash just to test out the shots. Every event is an opportunity to practise, I feel, especially such a joyous occasion.
Close relative. So no problem.
I'll just stay out of the way of the pro photogs. Won't ga-jiao anybody too.

Moderator

If want to follow using some etiquette, it's best to ask permission from couple first, then discuss with the engaged photographer what would be comfortable for all. It's basic courtesy from one photographer to another.

Senior Member

Mmm.. hear, hear.
Actually, all these issues that the users have been discussing in this thread is going to happen to me this weekend. A close relative is getting engaged, and I am just going to bring my DSLR + flash just to test out the shots. Every event is an opportunity to practise, I feel, especially such a joyous occasion.
Close relative. So no problem.
I'll just stay out of the way of the pro photogs. Won't ga-jiao anybody too.

Chat them up?
Wah lau... they are already so busy (if I dare mention, stressed). They'll give me a big kick on my butt. But seriously, how many of you pro wedding photogs out there will NOT mind a crazy but good-intentioned relative with DSLR ga-jiao-ing you when you're trying to do your work?
I've never done that before (chat them up). But if enough of you out there say 'yes' I might just do that this weekend...

Senior Member

Chat them up?
Wah lau... they are already so busy (if I dare mention, stressed). They'll give me a big kick on my butt. But seriously, how many of you pro wedding photogs out there will NOT mind a crazy but good-intentioned relative with DSLR ga-jiao-ing you when you're trying to do your work?
I've never done that before (chat them up). But if enough of you out there say 'yes' I might just do that this weekend...

I think most wedding photographers i meet at weddings (when i shoot video express highlights), were more than happy to talk to people during break or short intermissions. That includes myself, gear-talk always seems to work.

Seriously, I feel this is a very, very impt part of socialising and marketing strategy. :bsmilie:

You should be considerate as a guest. Just because you are invited as guest does not mean you have the right to treat it as your learning ground. The paid photographers are there to do a job; it is their rice bowl. Don't make it harder for them to put food on the table than it already is.

And I suggest, in general, that you should spare a thought for what others think of you, lest they think of you as someone inconsiderate. Young man, the world is not your oyster, as much as you'd like to ideally have it.

Personal take - want to bring an Arri or Panavision and motion tracking rig also can - as long as the hosts are ok with it and must always stay OUT of the way of the paid togs / don't inconvenience other guests or assume any privileges just because one is a guest.

Agreed. Sometimes there is a contract clause between the main photog and the couple stating that no other photographers (definition is a bit of a grey area if you ask me) be shooting while the paid photog is working. I think the main idea is to get permission from the couple first, since they would be aware of such a clause when hiring the main photog (or at least, they should be!).

SLRs are not a problem really (but an Arri or Panavision might be :bsmilie; just have some common sense and be a considerate guest.

bringing the DSLR to a wedding is ok i think, but when the official photographer is doing the job, please stay hundreds meter away from him or her, will interrupt while doing the photo taking. this is pretty annoying. i experience myself when shooting a ROM, the couple friend took out his camera and try to shoot hence hinder my movement and angles.

I've experienced it too, and it can be very annoying, especially during key moments such as the march in/march out, and the exchanging of vows and rings. Terribly annoying to find yourself blocked or swarmed, and also terribly annoying to have flashes going off like nobody's business.

My pet peeve is flashes from other cameras, because if their flashes are not colour corrected, and you happen to be shooting in a non-daylight colour balance environment, that flash is going to give you a terrible colour cast, which in some cases makes the image irreparable.

Senior Member

Chat them up?
Wah lau... they are already so busy (if I dare mention, stressed). They'll give me a big kick on my butt. But seriously, how many of you pro wedding photogs out there will NOT mind a crazy but good-intentioned relative with DSLR ga-jiao-ing you when you're trying to do your work?
I've never done that before (chat them up). But if enough of you out there say 'yes' I might just do that this weekend...

Senior Member

You should be considerate as a guest. Just because you are invited as guest does not mean you have the right to treat it as your learning ground. The paid photographers are there to do a job; it is their rice bowl. Don't make it harder for them to put food on the table than it already is.

And I suggest, in general, that you should spare a thought for what others think of you, lest they think of you as someone inconsiderate. Young man, the world is not your oyster, as much as you'd like to ideally have it.

Agreed. Sometimes there is a contract clause between the main photog and the couple stating that no other photographers (definition is a bit of a grey area if you ask me) be shooting while the paid photog is working. I think the main idea is to get permission from the couple first, since they would be aware of such a clause when hiring the main photog (or at least, they should be!).

SLRs are not a problem really (but an Arri or Panavision might be :bsmilie; just have some common sense and be a considerate guest.

I've experienced it too, and it can be very annoying, especially during key moments such as the march in/march out, and the exchanging of vows and rings. Terribly annoying to find yourself blocked or swarmed, and also terribly annoying to have flashes going off like nobody's business.

My pet peeve is flashes from other cameras, because if their flashes are not colour corrected, and you happen to be shooting in a non-daylight colour balance environment, that flash is going to give you a terrible colour cast, which in some cases makes the image irreparable.

Moderator

if you bring a camera to a wedding dinner, what camera you bring does not really matter, what matter most is how the way you shoot...

call you tell me which is more annoying if you are the main photographer, when the couple marching into the ballroom or cutting cake on the stage, a guest using a 70~200 shoot from his seat at VIP table, or a guest using a handphone standing right in front of you shooting the couple?

New Member

if you are at the dinner as a guest then be a guest. enjoy the dinner, enjoy the company at your table, enjoy the joyous moments as the blessed couple share their union with everyone there, sure take some snapshots with people around you but a pns or handphone camera will do just fine...

New Member

I try to avoid bring DSLR if come as a guest. I have experience before many times as official photographer, others come with DSLR & very enthusiastic and hinder my movement. But the main prob is when there is at least 5 or more guest with camera wanna shoot, and I have to wait for them to finish. Some use handphone and go right to the couple face (less than a metre away) to shoot.

Senior Member

But i seen 1 darn funny 1, whole night run around with the AD photographer, then take pics everywhere every angle, even table shots... after asking the couple, its actually colleague of the couple... over enthusiast... couple also dunno y he run around like that... lucky the AD not irritated by such acts.

Moderator

But i seen 1 darn funny 1, whole night run around with the AD photographer, then take pics everywhere every angle, even table shots... after asking the couple, its actually colleague of the couple... over enthusiast... couple also dunno y he run around like that... lucky the AD not irritated by such acts.